Background
Richard Blackmore was born on the 7th of June, 1825. Much of his childhood was spent in Devon. consequently his maturity and his novels show the sympathies of a West-country man. His ancestors were clergymen and farmers of substance.
Richard Blackmore was born on the 7th of June, 1825. Much of his childhood was spent in Devon. consequently his maturity and his novels show the sympathies of a West-country man. His ancestors were clergymen and farmers of substance.
Richard was educated at Blundell's school, Tiverton, and Exeter College, Oxford, where he obtained a scholarship.
Two years later he entered as a student at the Middle Temple, and was called to the bar in 1852.
After leaving Oxford and spending some time as a private tutor, Blackmore decided on a career in law. He entered the Middle Temple in 1849 and was called to the Bar in 1852. Ill-health, however, prevented him from continuing legal work as a full-time occupation and in 1854, he took the post of classics master at Wellesley House Grammar School, Hampton Road, Twickenham. In later years this became the Metropolitan and City of London Police Orphanage and then Fortescue House School.
Blackmore began a career as writer by publishing collections of poetry, before turning to novel-writing. Two of his fifteen novels preceded Lorna Doone and failed. The first edition (1869) of his famous novel sold poorly. By 1914, 800, 000 copies had been sold. Lorna Doone is a historical romance of 17th-century southwest England that involves outlaw noblemen of Exmoor, abduction, rescue, and "girt John Ridd. "
His great love of nature, portrayed in minute detail and with palpable affection, is part of his charm. Moreover, he could tell a tale excellently. His other novels never approached Lorna Doone in popularity, though they were popular enough to be issued serially in British and American magazines of repute. They are similar in plot and characterization to Lorna Doone without being mere copies.
Blackmore was nevertheless enthusiastic in his pursuit of literature.
Fruit-growing
Blackmore was married to Lucy Maguire.